Alkene difunctionalization featuring an intramolecular carbometallation step has been developed into a powerful transformation in organic synthesis. The 5-exo-trig carbometallation is in general highly favored over the alternative 6-endo-trig cyclization. We report herein a formal 6-endo-trig carbofluorination protocol by combining the conventional 5-exo-trig carbopalladation with a chemoselective 1,2-aryl/Pd dyotropic rearrangement. Treatment of 2-(2-alkylallyloxy)phenyl boronic acid derivatives in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(dba)2 , 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine and Selectfluor affords chromanes with concurrent generation of a tertiary alkyl fluoride function. A σ-alkyl-PdII species resulting from the 5-exo-trig carbopalladation process is isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Its oxidation to PdIV complex triggers the chemoselective dyotropic rearrangement leading to the ring expansion product.
Keywords: Carbofluorination; Chromane; Domino Process; Dyotropic Rearrangement; Palladium.
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